President George Washington’s Morning Ride Through Natick

On November 3, 1789, George Washington, the newly-elected and first President of the United States, traveled right through what is now South Natick. He was accompanied by a team of four horses, two advisors (Tobias Lear and William Jackson), a baggage wagon and driver, six servants, at least two of whom were enslaved, and his white charger, Prescott. A celebrated Revolutionary War hero, President Washington and all Americans faced an uncertain future. After all, it had only been five months since the Constitution’s ratification, and many considered the document controversial. As he prepared to lead the new nation, Washington set out on a sixty-town tour of New England. Perhaps a few fortunate Natick residents gained a glimpse of their new President as he passed through. Follow this link to read the rest of the article from the Natick Report